Psychological Outcomes of CBT Intervention for Persons Who Loss the Partner: A Review

Abstract

Loss of a life partner has been referred to as one of the most stressful and life-altering events that a person can experience. While grief is an emotional response to bereavement, a significant proportion of the bereaved population can experience psychological distress. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy for the treatment of psychological disorders. CBT is effective in the treatment of psychological disorders through the modification of maladaptive cognitions and behaviours related to psychological disorders. This review aimed to explore the psychological outcomes of CBT interventions on people who have experienced the loss of their life partners. This review found that CBT interventions were effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, guilt, and prolonged grief disorder in the bereaved population. This review found that CBT interventions were effective in enhancing the levels of resilience and quality of life in the bereaved population. Despite the effectiveness of CBT interventions in the treatment of psychological disorders, the limitations of CBT include cultural issues and grief response. This review found that CBT is effective for people who have experienced the loss of their life partners.